The three books are literally just the game broken up into sections so you don't have to download so many GBs each update (and makes the android version work since there's a size limit for android installs). The chart just summarizes plot points you might have forgotten about if you were paying attention to the pretty girls rather than the story.
^This.
Not everyone has an eidetic memory or binge-plays; almost every series that goes on for years has a recap feature. The chapters have been months apart recently; a refresher is most times helpful, especially for those who play per update.
Also, it's optional.
So, any idea why the Android version requires permissions for a whole bunch of stuff the game shouldn't need to touch (e.g. photos, videos, music, etc)? None of the other games I've played require that, so it feels like a trojan to me.
I don't work directly on the Android version, so I'm not sure about the photos, music, or video. What I do know is that EO found a way for the players to be able to change Books freely on Android without having to lose saves; just uninstall then install. The way it's done is that the game/app will create a specific path for the save file to be stored, and that's what's asking for permission.
^Would you believe me if I said that this is not what it looks like?
Also, a little thing about Chapter 28: There are at least 80 new designs, big or small, pivotal or mundane, done for it; I stopped counting after that. We're starting to explore a different timeline, after all. You know about how FMC is being so secretive and selective on what she lets the group know, and she keeps going on and on with her excuse about how they need to be careful with the changes they're making? This is it, one of the main reasons anyway. Showing the main timeline alongside Lost Time is a chance to showcase that, so Chapter 28 is complexly plot-heavy. Albeit, possibly boring to some.
Lastly, here's preggoYumi